Firefighters in California continued to battle a massive blaze on Saturday at a roughly 1 million-square-foot warehouse owned by medical supplier Medline Industries in Tracy, a city of more than 100,000 residents located about 55 miles east of San Francisco. The fire has been raging since Thursday, and officials warn that unhealthy air quality may persist for days.
Firefighting Efforts Hampered by Infrastructure Issues
Fire Chief Randall Bradley stated at a Saturday press conference that crews are struggling to reach the heart of the fire. "We're struggling a little bit to get to the seed of the fire," Bradley said. "At some point, we're hoping to secure the walls that haven't fallen yet and get in to start moving debris so we can really get water into the seed of the fire." He noted that progress is being made, but it is slow.
Earlier reports indicated that a broken sprinkler system and low water pressure in hydrants hindered firefighting efforts. A Medline spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the warehouse's water infrastructure. Bradley reported that approximately 5,000 gallons of water per minute have been used to combat the flames.
Air Quality and Public Safety Concerns
Heavy smoke is expected to linger in the area for the next few days, though plumes have dissipated since the fire began. Officials advise residents, especially those vulnerable to poor air quality, to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed. They also warned people to avoid debris, which may contain hazardous materials, according to KCRA, an NBC affiliate in Sacramento.
Warehouse to Be Demolished; New Facility Planned
Bradley confirmed that the warehouse is set for demolition, with a new facility to be built on the site due to its importance for distribution. Medline supplies gloves, surgical masks, medical apparel, and other products.
A Medline spokesperson stated on Saturday that the "vast majority of order lines" have been rerouted to other distribution centers. The company has boosted regional staffing, inventory, and transportation capacity through increased use of MedTrans trucks, third-party carriers, and truck relay operations to accelerate product movement in the impacted region.
Fire authorities are coordinating with Medline to retrieve vehicles left behind by employees during evacuation. The spokesperson said they are identifying work opportunities for affected employees in the near term.
Investigation Underway
The cause and origin of the fire remain unknown. Law enforcement is conducting an investigation, according to the South San Joaquin County fire authority. No injuries have been reported.
